I have always loved to read Chief Justice YONG Pung How’s cases reported in the local papers. Why? Simply because the CJ has a way with words. In fact, he shows his wit and humour in his court proceedings.

Take last week’s report in a local newspaper of CJ YONG’s case involving a man who was found with a parang and two knives while in a car in Compassvale Road in Sengkang last Sept 14.

In that case, the district judge who heard the man’s case sentenced the offender to 10 months in jail and eight strokes of the cane. The case went to CJ YONG because the prosecution had appealed.

CJ YONG asked the man what he was doing in the car. The man claimed he was visiting a friend. The CJ went on to ask the man if he usually visited his friends at 4am in the morning!

Then the man claimed that he was in a hurry to a friend’s house to talk the friend out of committing suicide. When asked for the friend’s address, the man said he couldn’t remember.

I have two reasons for bringing out this case. The first is to show the common-sense approach used by the CJ in meting out justice in the court. The second is to warn all of you out there that there are criminal elements lurking outside looking for prey. And these chaps are armed with knives. During this festive season, please be alert and take care of your belongings. Do not stray into deserted areas and keep an eye out for suspicious persons - especially those who give you a smile. You never know what may happen next. Be alert; be safe rather than sorry.